The Civil Wars' much-anticipated self-titled sophomore album will be released Tuesday, but fans can take a free advance listen via iTunes at this link now. One of the most buzz-generating new groups of the past few years, Joy Williams and John Paul White dazzled critics and audiences alike with the stark, haunting and beautiful vocal harmonies from their 2011 debut, "Barton Hollow." Two Grammy Awards and a high-profile spot on the "Hunger Games" soundtrack later and the duo seemed on top of the music world. But it all seemed to crash down with the abrupt cancellation of a European tour and a quickly announced extended hiatus due to "internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition."

White and Williams still aren't talking to each other, but they did manage to harness the emotion from the split as they created this new album. We'll have a full review on Tap Milwaukee Tuesday afternoon. But, for now, you can explore the beautiful, yet heartbreaking results of The Civil Wars' own internal discord that is discussed by Williams in this extended NPR interview from today and also captured in the short behind-the-scenes video below from the making of the album's song, "The One That Got Away."

Fans of the Postal Service take in what will allegedly be one of the band's last performances at Lollapalooza Saturday in Chicago's Grant Park. Photo by Piet Levy.

After the electronic dance music onslaught that was Lollapalooza on Friday, the massive music festival in Chicago’s Grant Park embraced a more organic vibe on its second day, with acts like Madison-based chamberpop ensemble PHOX, country star Eric Church and folk revival superstars the Lumineers and Mumford & Sons. | Aug. 4, 2013»Read Full Blog Post(1)

Fans party with rapper 2 Chainz on the final night of Lollapalooza in Chicago. Photo by Piet Levy.

Electronic dance music ruled Lollapalooza Friday. On Saturday, the spotlight was largely cast on folk. But by Sunday, the star of the weekend turned out to be the weather. Aside from some slight showers and muddy patches at Chicago’s Grant Park Friday, the sun was shining and temps were practically perfect for the massive music festival. Maybe Mother Nature was a big fan of this year’s lineup.

She probably liked something on Sunday, a diverse day with acts ranging from seminal rock band The Cure, to Skrillex side project Dog Blood, to Vampire Weekend, to bling-sporting, party-starting rapper 2 Chainz.

It’s always tough for artists to introduce new tunes at festivals. But rapper 2 Chainz found a way around the problem. All you have to do is slide in the words “I like the strippers” in the chorus. Boom. Instant sing-along.

It wasn’t the only song about sex — or, for that matter, strippers — that Mr. Chainz performed in his Lollapalooza set Sunday night. There also were songs about the finer things in life, like champagne on airplanes, and having sex in a Mercedes-Benz. | Aug. 5, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

The Postal Service's next-to-last show ever was one of the highlights of Lollapalooza 2013 in Chicago's Grant Park Aug. 2 to 4. Photo by Piet Levy.

Before saying so long to Lollapalooza, here are some takeaways from the Chicago-based music fest. You can also find links to all our comprehensive coverage, from daily recaps to photo galleries, below.

Favorite set: A tie between Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor’s industrial project, emerging from a years-long slumber with something to prove, and the Postal Service, a supergroup briefly reunited and looking to end things on a high note.

Most exciting moment: Being in the photo pit for Baauer. Between the crowdsurfing, security rescues, mass dancing and intense music, my heart was racing faster than Baauer’s beats.

Most disappointing set: Icona Pop. I was initially bummed the Swedish dance duo canceled its Turner Hall show in September. But after seeing its underwhelming Lolla set, I don’t care.
Standout stage banter:
“I think that’s enough fog.” - Postal Service’s Ben Gibbard, after the band was completely engulfed.

“Do you want to go to church? Raise your hand if you want to go to church. I’ll take you there.” - Charles Bradley

“Lighten up, guys. It’s a song about (expletive).” - Papa Emeritus II of Ghost B.C., a line all the more hilarious coming from a Swedish dude with ghoulish makeup dressed like a clergyman.

“Just so we’re clear, I don’t like (expletive) (expletive) thrown at me. It was cute the first time. But stop that (expletive).” - 2 Chainz

“If you’re enjoying the (expletive) show, let me hear you say ‘twooooooo chaaaaiiiinnnzzzzz’!” - Do I actually need to tell you who said this?

Not-so-obvious sing-along choice: “We’re half awake in a fake empire.” - The National. (We were trying to have fun this weekend, right guys?)

Great eats: Grilled cheese on a stick from Wisconsin cheesemaker Brunkow Cheese, with hatch chile and hot pepper jelly. You need this next year, Summerfest. It’d be an awesome alternative for adventure-seeking foodies to Saz’s cheese sticks.

Lolla fashion: Fake floral crowns were everywhere Friday and Saturday. Sunday, not so much. By then, it became a fashion trend that was literally “so yesterday.”

Doing Wisconsin proud:PHOX was such a fantastic choice for last minute fill-in at Lollapalooza Saturday, and the band ended up with one of the weekend’s most charming and unique sets. You have a chance to say you caught the Madison-based band before it blew up, when it co-headlines a Shank Hall show Wednesday night with another fine Wisconsin-born band, Foreign Fields.

Sunburned?: Eh, not so bad. Should have probably put more sunblock on my sniffer.

As Robin Thicke's smash summer hit, "Blurred Lines," sits at number one for a remarkable eighth week, Top of the Charts takes a temporary break in format as the chart every pop song aspires to top - the Billboard Hot 100 - celebrates its 55th anniversary this week.

To mark the milestone of a chart that has evolved from tracking jukebox spins, radio play and sales of 45 rpm singles to today's formula of digital sales, airplay and online streams - all with the aim of identifying the biggest hit across genres in the United States - Billboard has updated its list of the all-time Hot 100. You can find the full list at this link.

Here at Top of the Charts, where we regularly share music videos and performances from the biggest hit each week and the past four decades, we are going to dive into the top five. It's an eclectic list to say the least. One artist hadn't even released their debut album yet in 2008, the last time Billboard updated the list. Now they are in the all-time top five. | Aug. 5, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

Country star Jake Owen, pictured here performing at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes last month, covers a Cadillac Black song on his latest single, "Days of Gold." Photo by Rick Diamond.

Jake Owen, MGMT and Amos Lee each show a different side of themselves on their latest singles. But are they any good? Listen below and judge for yourself.

Jake Owen
Single: "Days of Gold"
Gut reaction: This ain't no barefoot blue jean county jam; this time
out Owen opts for some spunky country guitar and harmonica. The end
result is close to golden.
Grade: B+ | Aug. 7, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

Robin Thicke is still the summer king of the Billboard Hot 100. Find out how long the pop star's big hit has been at number one and then take a look back to see which songs were the week's biggest hits in 2008, 1998, 1988 and 1978.

Robin Thicke has even more to celebrate this week. Not only is his smash hit, "Blurred Lines," still the number one song in the country for now the ninth consecutive week, but his new album of the same title is now his first chart-topping disc, too. (Read music writer Piet Levy's review of the album here at Tap Milwaukee.) Come back to Top of the Charts next Monday to find out if Thicke can keep Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop" from taking his top spot as he reaches for 10 weeks of club-thumping success. | Aug. 12, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

Here are a couple of streaming Spotify playlists of the setlists from last night's Miranda Lambert concert on the closing day of the Wisconsin State Fair.

You can read my full review of the show here at Tap Milwaukee. The only two songs missing from this playlist are Lambert's covers of Bob Seger's "The Fire Down Below" and the Beatles' "Get Back" - two artists who have yet to be part of Spotify's on-demand music library. Below the Lambert set is the country singer's new music video for, "All Kinds of Kinds," that was released today.

Then, check out a brief review and Spotify playlist of the setlist from the concert's opening act, The Farm. | Aug. 12, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

The Partridge Family has nothing on the Willis Clan. Partridge was a fictious, music-playing family, as seen on TV. Willis is a real one, as seen on TV. Partridge had five kids. Willis has 12.

The country-and-Celtic-leaning Willis Clan -- with six of the 12 kids currently in the band -- is appearing on TVs across the country in the Great American Country reality series "The Willis Clan" (airing at 7 p.m. Thursdays, see commercial above). And the Clan is making four live appearances at Milwaukee Irish Fest: 7:30 p.m. Thursday on the Aer Lingus stage; 10 p.m. Friday at the McGourthy Family Tipperary Stage; 6:45 p.m. Saturday on the Miller Lite stage; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday on the Miller Lite stage.

Before coming into town, we reached out to eldest son Jeremiah "Jair" Willis and asked what music he's listening to. Interestingly enough, its not country.

Wisconsin band Volcano Choir, featuring Justin Vernon and past and present members of Milwaukee band Collections of Colonies of Bees, will release its dramatic sophomore album "Repave" Sept. 3. Photo by Cameron Wittig.

Teases have been seeping out slowly from the Volcano Choir camp, before the inevitable burst of interest that's bound to come with the release of its sophomore album "Repave" on Sept. 3. But now the Wisconsin band--featuring Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and current and past members of Milwaukee avant garde group Collections of Colonies of Bees--has a second single to share in the dramatic, sweeping, endearingly strange "Comrade." And as with the album's lead single "Byegone," its further proof that the band has evolved dramatically from the tinkering of its experimental debut album "Unmap" for something far more grand and beautiful and striking.

Hear the song, set to some stunningly shot footage at Vernon's Eau Claire studio April Base below. Below that is the music video for "Byegone," the "Repave" teaser, and a short documentary about the making of the album.

Robin Thicke's big summer hit has now reached some rarified air at the top of the charts. See how "Blurred Lines" has entered some elite company below and then step back in time to watch videos and performances from the songs that were on top of the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 2009, 1999, 1989 and 1979.

It's funny now to think that there was even any discussion earlier in the season about which song would become this year's song of the summer. This week, Robin Thicke's club-thumping "Blurred Lines" marks its 10th week at number one - a feat that Billboard notes has only been achieved by 27 songs in the history of their biggest chart. Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop" is still looking up from the second spot. Check back next week to see if she can stop Thicke's streak. | Aug. 19, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

NPR is streaming the second album from Wisconsin band Volcano Choir, featuring Justin Vernon and members of Milwaukee band Collections of Colonies of Bee, through the album's Sept. 3 release. Photo by Cameron Wittig.

The Avett Brothers, pictured here performing at Summerfest in June, has a new single out from a forthcoming album, less than a year after releasing its last one. Journal Sentinel photo by Mark Felix.

The Avett Brothers lean toward country pop, while Jennifer Nettles of country pop duo Sugarland goes solo with a new sound on their new singles out this week. So are they any good? Give them a listen and read our reviews below.

The Avett Brothers
Single: “Another is Waiting”
Gut reaction: Although its largely associated with the folk revival movement, the Avett Brothers has been comfortable taking on genres of all shapes and sizes. And now, its putting its own spin on...bland country pop. Atypically clunky lyrics don’t do any favors.Grade: C-| Aug. 21, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

Stevy Pyne, left, and Justin Tranter of Semi Precious Weapons performed new single "Aviation High" for Tap Milwaukee Wednesday, before taking the stage at a sold out Ke$ha at the Eagles Ballroom. Journal Sentinel photo by Mark Felix.

"Will my pants be in the shot?" Justin Tranter of Lady Gaga-approved rock group Semi Precious Weapons asked eagerly before performing exclusively for the Tap Pre-Show. But who could you blame the guy? He was sporting the sweetest set of golden parachute pants since "Can't Touch This" was on top of the charts - just par for the course for the theatrical glam rocker.

Wednesday was a homecoming of sorts for Tranter, whose band is opening up Ke$ha's sold-out show at the Rave's Eagles Ballroom this evening. Tranter, 33, grew up not too far away in Lake Zurich, Ill., and recalled visiting the Rave as a kid to see Ani DiFranco with 10 friends and his mom.

Now today, he's the one on the Rave stage--but his mom is still with him, as well as his dad, brother and family friends, who drove in to catch the show. They also stopped by the Journal Sentinel offices to catch Weapons' stripped-down performance of the band's brand new, deliciously dramatic single "Aviation High," featured on the band's third album, expected to be released this fall.

You can also look for a review of the show Thursday morning at Tap Milwaukee and Friday in the Journal Sentinel. | Aug. 21, 2013

During the past few years, nothing about Summerfest has been as constant as the annual visit from country piano man Phil Vassar and the good-timing fans that his party-friendly shows draw. So, it is fitting that this year's Summerfest crowd plays a starring role in the music video for Vassar's new single, "Love is Alive." Presented as a narrative of "love in three acts," the video, directed by Steve Condon, follows a romance across the years with a midlife pit stop onstage at Vassar's shows in Chicago and Milwaukee this summer. The song is bright, catchy and uplifting.

In the video, the raucous crowd at the Briggs and Stratton Big Backyard stage cheers as Vassar looks down at his hands on the piano keyboard and sees them as a child and an old man, all in love.

"Love is Alive" is Vassar's third consecutive non-album single since the release of "Traveling Circus" in 2009. According to the website for Rodeowave Entertainment - the record label Vassar founded in 2011 - the country star is working on a new full-length album that could yet be released later this year.

Seriously, who doesn't love "Blurred Lines"? Robin Thicke's sexy pop song will almost inevitably be the song of summer 2013--and even good 'ole country boy Toby Keith is smitten by the song's "little groove."

Has the summer's biggest hit finally met its match at the top of the charts? Read below to find out who came out on top this week on the Billboard Hot 100. Then, after reaching the '9s in our weekly look back at the top hits across the past decades, we turn back the clock to see which songs were at number one this week in 2000, 1990, 1980 and 1970.

Robin Thicke's smash hit, "Blurred Lines," survived to reach its 11th week on the top of the Hot 100, but it was a close call with a new challenger approaching fast. With her first full week of digital sales, radio airplay and streaming videos, Katy Perry's new song, "Roar," rocketed from its debut at 85 all the way to number two on the charts. Check back next week to see if her fierce new song can finally knock the summer's king from his throne. | Aug. 26, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

Diana Ross will definitely NOT be playing at the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Celebration this week. Fans can see her instead at the Riverside Theater tonight, while outlaw Harley riders are cautioned to steer clear. Associated Press photo by Heiko Junge.

Even though Diana Ross was scheduled to be in the Milwaukee area within a couple of days of the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Celebration, its probably best that Harley talent bookers didn't give her agent a call. After the infamous, surprise Elton John booking 10 years ago, can you imagine how outlaw bikers would react to her?

Fortunately Harley fans will be spared from hearing "Baby Love" or "I'm Coming Out" at the Marcus Amphitheater Thursday - while Ross' fans have a chance to see the queen of Motown in a more suitable environment, at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Riverside Theater. Tickets are $45.50 to $75.50 and can be purchased at the box office (116 W. Wisconsin Ave.), the Pabst Theater box office (144 E. Wells St.), by calling (414) 286-3663 or visiting the Pabst Theater website.

There is no opener - and word is she'll just be playing for about 90 minutes or so - so get there on time. | Aug. 27, 2013(5)

Miley Cyrus, as the entire country knows by now, caused an uproar with her performance on the MTV Video Music Awards this past Sunday. Reuters photo by Lucas Jackson.

Pop quiz. There's a top new single on iTunes called "Berzerk." Who sang it? Eminem, or Miley Cyrus?

If you guessed Cyrus, you at least made an educated guess. Berzerk seems to describe her behavior lately following that twerk-heavy VMA performance Sunday. But "Berzerk" is actually Eminem's track, while the ex-Hannah Montana attempts to be taken seriously with new ballad "Wrecking Ball."

Like the thousands of Harley-Davidson riders arriving in Milwaukee this weekend, Brookfield-based country singer-songwriter Nora Collins is also celebrating the local motorcycle company's 110th anniversary with the release of her new single, "Harley." It's a brooding love song that highlights Collins' talented vocals - a tender blend of sweetness and fierce twang.

The song is the lead track off of Collins' new acoustic CD, "Only the Beginning." That disc - her third release, which includes six original tunes alongside four covers - is available by mail or at one of the 2012 and 2013 WAMI Rising Star Award winner's shows, including a fitting Harley-related performance 10 a.m. Friday at Hal's Harley-Davidson in New Berlin. The new single is available to purchase on iTunes and you can listen to it below via Spotify.

Ben Morrison (second from left) of the Brothers Comatose is listening to Lake Street Dive. Photo provided by band publicist.

Don't sleep on the Brothers Comatose. I admittedly knew nothing about this bluegrass-cut folk act, but then when I found out it was playing Shank Hall next Thursday, I started listening to some of its stuff on Spotify and enjoyed it quite a bit. | Aug. 30, 2013»Read Full Blog Post